Yesterday morning, I was fortunate to catch up with rising next generation roads talent, Dafabet Racing’s Rob Hodson.
In amongst the hustle and bustle of the Manx GP paddock, I managed to gain the multiple Southern 100 winner’s views on a range of topics.
Our fast-paced chat, covering opening MGP practice action, sizzling Super Twins battles at Billown, potential 2023 plans, is as follows:
Road Racing News:
Good solid run in first Manx GP practice.
R.Hodson:
“Was happy enough, we got a lap in, then had a bit of a technical issue with the Classic Superbike but nothings that not been sorted.
Just ruined what was a pretty decent lap, so we’ll be ready to try again today.”
Road Racing News:
How was the Ruthless Racing Honda?
R.Hodson:
“It was good, that was the first time we’ve used that 5004 Honda by Ruthless around this course.
It has been used previously around here but not at that spec it is now, different engine spec and things, that was our first run on it, it was all good, just a few gearing changes.
Weren’t getting the most out of the gearing and things quite a bit more to come from that, hopefully we can progress quite well.”
Road Racing News:
Since the TT, going around on Sunday, any parts of the Mountain Course that look smoother, are re-surfaced.
R.Hodson:
“Not too much from the TT but the one thing that does catch me out and maybe a couple of others as well is the run just before the K-Tree, the left where they have chopped all the trees down, it looks like a completely different corner now.
So, your approach to it, you now you can use all the road, which you could before but with the trees you never did.
It’s all good, course is in mint conditions and the organisers have done a great job getting it ready.”
Road Racing News:
Overall, a good season so far, watching you racing at the Southern 100 with Jamie Coward, incredible Super Twin racing.
R.Hodson:
“We had a couple of good races there, we knew it was going to be that way, we knew one of us wasn’t going to walk away it.
So, we had to sort just of play the game, use our own bikes to the advantages we had, mine was better in certain places but so was his.
We had a bit of an issue in the first race but to end up with a race win each, was a fair result, I think.”
Road Racing News:
For the rest of the season, any other main meetings coming up after the Manx?
R.Hodson:
“From sort of now we may have a couple of more wildcard BSB’s with Dafabet Racing then we are up to Scarborough as well with them and hopefully the Greenall Racing team with the Classic Superbike.
So, them are the main ones we are looking forward to. We have progressed at Scarborough the last couple of years.
I know it’s been a bit interrupted and things with the organisers have been up against it, but now they are trying their best to get it back on and we’ve sent the entries in, had them confirmed, so fingers crossed were on for that one.”
Road Racing News:
Finally, I know it’s still early but looking towards next year going to stick with the Dafabet Racing team?
R.Hodson:
“I think so, the way things have gone, my side of the team lads who I bring with me, sponsors and things teamed with the Dafabet Racing team, it all works well.
Everyone gets along, we have a good laugh, we’ve got some decent results to go along with that, so we’ll have to have a chat over the winter but all been well I think we can go into another year with them.”
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou